Digital savvy India to be of great help to Germany, says Angela Merkel

Digital savvy India to be of great help to Germany, says Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ initiative, saying that India’s experience in digitisation will help Germany and that there is great room for further projects.

“We made the best possible use of time and have been able to sign so many agreements. Economicrelations are of great importance and we are greatly enhancing cooperation in science technology and vocational field,” Merkel said here in the joint statement.

Talking about energy cooperation by both nations, she added that it is very much in the foreground, particularly in rural areas, but sustainable development can only be ensured when rural areas are not being neglected.

“We will work together in combating terrorism, defence, and arms cooperation on a broad foundation. We were taking stock of political issues, realised the world is full of conflicts. Will intensify our cooperation in this as well,” Merkel added.

On returning the famous 9th century idol of Mahishasumardini stolen from Pulwama district in Jammu & Kashmir in 1990s, Merkel said that she knew the Durga statue was of great importance to the people of India.

“We are not going to take a break for two years before we meet next are going to be candid in the future to make the process run smoothly,” Merkel added.

Prime Minister Modiassured Merkel than India can look forward to see cooperation transform into trade, investmentsIn course of the past year, our ties have deepened. Germany is a natural partner in India’s economic transformation,” he said at the joint statement.

A framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed earlier today between the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), India and Fraunhofer, Germany with later as a Technology Resource Partner.

The objective of the MoU is to support and augment the ‘Make in India’ programme through increasing the innovation and technology prowess of Indian industry.